ACI World has released new research demonstrating the need to modernise global policy frameworks on airport charges.
The State of Play: Competition, Regulation, and Airport Charges Research Report gives an overview of the evolution of the industry, an assessment of current charging and regulatory frameworks, case studies of airport experiences with regulation and charging strategies, and lessons learnt from COVID-19, as well as outlining the potential future direction of economic oversight. It is based on data analysis from InterVISTAS Consulting, a strategic aviation and mobility consultancy.
The findings show that while charges for aviation services represent as much as 54% of revenues for airports, the full basket of airport charges represents only 5.1% of the average base airfare and ancillary fees from a consumer perspective. Landing charges levied on airlines represent only 1% of the airfare. The data shows that those airports that are heavily regulated are associated with higher unit charges compared to more light-handed models. The report proposes new approaches for economic oversight should be considered to ensure better use of airport capacity through flexible pricing, the fostering of infrastructure development for connectivity and socio-economic benefits, and providing charges incentives to address issues of congestion, noise and climate change.
ACI World has also promised a forthcoming stand-alone regional analysis to provide specific details for the Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East, and North America regions.
